Systems and methods for direct current nerve conduction block

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block. The systems and methods can utilize at least one renewable electrode. The methods can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate nervous tissue sufficient to block conduction in the nervous tissue. Delivering the first direct current can place the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nervous tissue after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The nervous tissue can be maintained in the hypersuppressed state for a desired period, such as at least about 1 minute.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/397,310, filed Apr. 29, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/943,601, filed Apr. 2, 2018, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) as a nonprovisional application of U.S. Prov. App. Nos. 62/481,092 filed on Apr. 3, 2017, and 62/485,882 filed on Apr. 14, 2017, each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application, as well as applications mentioned in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This application relates, in some embodiments, to facilitating block of biological signals through nerve tissue.

The gate control theory of pain was developed in the 1960s and led to the advent of stimulation-based pain management therapies to reduce pain inputs from reaching the brain by selectively stimulating non-nociceptive fibers (non-pain transmitting fibers) in the spinal cord to inhibit transmission of pain stimuli to the brain (See Mendell, Constructing and Deconstructing the Gate Theory of Pain, Pain, 2014 February 155(2): 210-216). Current stimulation systems for spinal cord stimulation (SCS), which act on this gate control theory to indirectly reduce pain, typically have relied on stimulation signals in the <100 Hz frequency range, and recently in the kHz frequency range. Stimulation of the dorsal root ganglia, DRG, in a similar frequency range has also been employed to reduce segmental pain through the same mechanism.

However, technologies based on this premise are not perfect as pain transmission inhibition is not complete and side effects such as paresthesia can be uncomfortable for patients. Therefore, it is desirable to have systems and methods of treating pain which directly block pain fibers from transmitting pain signals, rather than indirectly reducing pain signals through gate-theory activation of non-nociceptive fibers. Furthermore, block of neural tissue or neural activity has been implicated in not only affecting pain but also in the management of movement disorders, psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular health, as well as management of disease states such as diabetes.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a system to modulate the action potential transmission along a nerve body includes an electron to ion current conversion cell (EICCC) which comprises an electrode at which an electrochemical process occurs to generate current in the form of ions to change the electrical potential around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential.

In some embodiments, a system to modulate the action potential transmission along a nerve body includes an electron to ion current conversion cell which comprises an electrode at which a capacitive charging process occurs to generate current in the form of ions to change the charge density around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential.

In some embodiments, a system to modulate the stimulus transmission along a nerve body includes an electron to ion current conversion cell which comprises an electrode at which an electrochemical process occurs to generate current in the form of ions to change the charge density around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential.

In some embodiments, a system to modulate the stimulus transmission along a nerve body includes an electron to ion current conversion cell which comprises an electrode at which an electrochemical process and capacitive charging process occur to generate current in the form of ions to change the charge density around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential.

In some embodiments, the system modulates the electrical potential near the nerve to put the nerve tissue in a blocked state.

In some embodiments, the system puts the target nerve(s) in a state of acute nerve block.

In some embodiments, the system puts the target nerve(s) in a state of chronic nerve block.

In some embodiments, the system modulates the electrical potential to put the nerve tissue into a suppressed state.

In some embodiments, the system puts the target nerve(s) in a state of acute nerve suppression.

In some embodiments, the system puts the target nerve(s) in a state of nerve hypersuppression.

In some embodiments, the electrode comprises an electrode material of silver, silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl).

In some embodiments, the electrode comprises an electrode material of silver (Ag).

In some embodiments, the electrode comprises an electrode material of silver-chloride (AgCl).

In some embodiments, the masses of the electrode constituent materials are maintained in a specified range.

In some embodiments, the electrochemical processes which occur at the electrode are reversible.

In some embodiments, the electrode is sacrificial and cannot be restored.

In some embodiments, the system comprises an electrode immersed in electrolyte and fluidly and electronically coupled to an ion conductor in electrical contact with the nerve tissue.

In some embodiments, the ion conductor comprises a hydrogel material.

In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more current sources that are connected via a lead to the one or more electrodes.

In some embodiments, the ion conductor includes a proximal layer, e.g., screen or filter element to selectively sequester electrochemical process byproducts to the electrolyte volume.

In some embodiments, the ion conductor includes a distal screen or filter element to selectively sequester electrochemical process byproducts from the nerve tissue.

In some embodiments, the ion conductor includes multiple screen or filter elements to selectively sequester electrochemical process byproducts from the nerve tissue.

In some embodiments, the system comprises materials which come in contact with tissue that are biocompatible.

In some embodiments, two or more systems to modulate the stimulus transmission along a nerve body include electron to ion current conversion cells to change the electrical potential around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential.

In some embodiments, a method using two or more systems to maintain a constant nerve block by delivering direct current in the form of ions includes operating one system in a blocking mode with current of one polarity while the other system or systems are run in a mode with current of the opposite polarity.

In some embodiments, a method of delivering a prolonged block to neural tissue includes an initial delivery of current in the form of ions proximal to the neural tissue to put the neural tissue into a suppressed state where block continues after current ceases.

In some embodiments, a method of delivering a prolonged block to neural tissue includes an initial delivery of current in the form of ions proximal to the neural tissue to put the neural tissue into a suppressed state where block continues after current ceases with subsequent current delivery to maintain the nerve in its suppressed state.

In some embodiments, a method of delivering a prolonged block to neural tissue includes an initial delivery of current in the form of ions proximal to the neural tissue to put the neural tissue into a suppressed state where block continues after current ceases with subsequent current delivery to maintain the nerve in its suppressed state whereby current of the opposite polarity between current delivery phases does not impact the nerve suppression state.

In some embodiments, a system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of a DRG includes an introducer needle comprising optionally radiopaque markers and a stylet and an electrode configured to fit within the needle bore. The electrode comprising stress-relief and securement features such as barbs and leads that provide electrical communication with a current source.

In some embodiments, a system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes an introducer needle comprising optionally radiopaque markers and a stylet and an electrode configured to fit within the needle bore. The electrode comprising stress-relief and securement features such as barbs and leads that provide electrical communication with a current source.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of a DRG includes insertion of an introducer needle into the body cavity to the nerve site, removing a stylet, inserting an electrode, securing the electrode at the desired tissue site, removing the needle, and connecting the EICCC electrode leads to a current source and delivering a current to put the nerve in a state of suppression.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes insertion of an introducer needle into the body cavity to the nerve site, removing a stylet, inserting an electrode, securing the electrode at the desired tissue site, removing the needle, and connecting the EICCC electrode leads to a current source and delivering a current to put the nerve in a state of suppression.

In some embodiments, the system includes an external current source.

In some embodiments, the system includes an implantable current source.

In some embodiments, the system includes a programmable current source.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a sensor proximal to the nerve tissue to monitor the nerve tissue membrane potential and provide a feedback measurement for the current source.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a sensor that is an electrode that serves as a reference electrode for the working electrode in the EICCC to monitor the electrode potential.

In some embodiments, a method for maintaining a nerve in a blocked state is disclosed wherein the nerve membrane potential is monitored and used as a signal to provide feedback to the current source and current source controller to enable modulation of the current source output to the electrode.

In some embodiments, the system for delivery of ion current to neural tissue comprises a current delivery source, a power supply, electrical connection to an EICCC with a connector element to which an ion conducting electrode may be connected wherein the system is hermetically sealed.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG is used to reduce pain due to neuralgias.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs is used to reduce pain due to angina.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs is used to reduce pain due to ischemic pain.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs is used to reduce pain due to complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS).

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs is used to reduce pain in a specific region of the body.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs is used to reduce pain in a specific limb of the body.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs is used to reduce pain in a specific region of a limb of the body.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the DRG or DRGs can delivery different current signals to different DRGs for improved pain reduction coverage.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes more than one electrode leads.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes more than one electrode leads which include one or more regions that contact tissue and deliver current to the tissue.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes more than one electrode leads at different levels along the spinal cord which include one or more regions that contact tissue and deliver current to the tissue.

In some embodiments, the system for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes more than one electrode leads which include one or more regions that contact tissue and deliver current to the tissue and can be individually adjusted to deliver the desired current and electric field to the tissue.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes generating pain relief as part of a peri-procedural pain block.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the spinal cord includes generating pain relief as part of a peri-procedural pain block that is quickly reversible.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of peripheral nerves to generate pain relief includes delivering direct current with an EICCC to peripheral nerve tissue to reduce focal pain.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of peripheral nerves to generate pain relief includes delivering direct current with an EICCC to peripheral nerve tissue to reduce phantom limb pain.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of peripheral nerves to generate pain relief includes delivering direct current with an EICCC to peripheral nerve tissue to reduce neuroma pain.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of peripheral nerves to generate pain relief includes delivering direct current with an EICCC to peripheral nerve tissue to reduce neuralgia pain.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of renal nerves includes reducing activity of the sympathetic nervous system to reduce hypertension.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the sympathetic ganglia includes reducing activity of the sympathetic cervical ganglia to reduce heart failure progression.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the sympathetic ganglia includes reducing activity of the sympathetic cervical ganglia to reduce or prevent tachycardia.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the vagus nerve includes reducing activity of the vagus nerve to increase heart rate.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of the vagus nerves innervating the stomach includes reducing activity of the vagus nerve to increase satiety and satiation.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of hepatic nerves includes reducing activity of the sympathetic nervous system to increase insulin production.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of hepatic nerves includes reducing activity of the sympathetic nervous system to reduce insulin resistance.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of brain tissue includes accessing the desired region of the brain and reducing neural tissue activity to treat movement disorders.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of brain tissue includes accessing the desired region of the brain and reducing neural tissue activity to treat psychiatric disorders.

In some embodiments, a method for accessing and modulating the nerve signal transmission properties of brain tissue includes accessing the desired region of the brain and reducing neural tissue activity to treat chronic pain.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein is a system for nerve block of a patient utilizing a renewable electrode. The system can include a direct current generator, and/or at least one electrode comprising silver chloride. The system can also include a controller configured to signal the direct current generator to deliver a first direct current with a first polarity through the electrode sufficient to block conduction in a nerve, and/or decrease an amount of the silver chloride in the electrode thereby forming solid silver and chloride ions. The controller can also be configured to signal the direct current generator to deliver a second direct current with a second polarity through the electrode sufficient to increase the amount of the silver chloride, thereby renewing the electrode. The system can also include a nerve interface spaced apart from the electrode by a selective barrier. The selective barrier can also be configured to allow chloride ions through the barrier toward the nerve interface to block the nerve. The system can also include a sensor configured to determine whether a reaction, such as a predominantly silver/silver chloride reaction is occurring. The controller can be further configured to receive data from the sensor and discontinue or modulate at least one of the first direct current signal or the second direct current signal when water is being electrolyzed. The selective barrier can be further configured to prevent silver ions from passing through the barrier toward the nerve interface. The electrode can be housed in an insulated enclosure. The selective barrier can include an ion exchange membrane, and/or a hydrogel. The system can be devoid of any mechanically moving parts in some cases. The controller can be configured to deliver the first direct current such that the amount of silver chloride decreased is greater than a surface area of the electrode prior to delivery of the first direct current. The controller can also be configured to deliver the first direct current such that the amount of silver chloride decreased is greater than, such as about 1.25×, 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 10×, 15×, 20×, 50×, 100×, 1,000×, or more an amount capable of evenly covering a surface area, such as the entire functional surface area of the electrode prior to delivery of the first direct current, or ranges including any two of the aforementioned values.

In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a system for nerve block of a patient utilizing a renewable electrode. The system can include one or more of: a direct current generator; at least one electrode comprising a solid component, an ionic component, and a nerve interface directly adjacent the ionic component; a controller configured to signal the direct current generator to: deliver a first direct current with a first polarity through the electrode sufficient to block conduction in a nerve and decrease an amount of the solid component; and/or deliver a second direct current with a second polarity through the electrode sufficient to increase the amount of the solid component, thereby renewing the electrode. The system can also include one or more sensors configured to determine whether a predominantly solid component/ionic component reaction is occurring. The controller can be further configured to receive data from the sensor and discontinue or modulate at least one of the first direct current signal or the second direct current signal when water is being electrolyzed. The electrode, or a plurality of electrodes, can be housed in an insulated enclosure, such as the same or a different enclosure. The electrode can also include a layer, such as a selective barrier spaced between the ionic component and the nerve. The layer can be configured to selectively allow negatively charged ions of the ionic component to pass through the layer and toward the nerve, and prevent positively charged ions of the ionic component from passing through the layer toward the nerve. The system can be devoid of any mechanically moving parts. The nerve interface can be spaced apart from the electrode by one or more of a gel, a hydrogel, and an ion conductive polymer. The electrode can be partially or completely surrounded by a solution, such as an electrolyte solution, e.g., isotonic saline. The solid component can include silver, and/or the ionic component can include silver chloride. The controller can be configured to deliver the first direct current such that the amount of solid component decreased is greater than a surface area of the solid component. The controller can also be configured to maintain the nerve in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nerve for at least about 10 minutes or more after cessation of delivering of the first direct current.

In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a method for nerve block of a patient utilizing a renewable electrode. The method can include one or more of delivering a first direct current of a first polarity through an electrode comprising a first component proximate a nerve sufficient to block conduction in the nerve; and delivering a second direct current of a second polarity opposite the first polarity through the electrode. The first direct current can decrease an amount of the first component of the electrode thereby producing a second component different from the second component. The second direct current can increase the amount of the first component of the electrode and/or decreases the amount of the second component to renew the electrode. The method can also dynamically sensing the amount of the first component or the second component in the electrode while delivering the first direct current; and ceasing delivery of the first direct current when the amount of the first component is sensed to reach a pre-determined threshold value, and/or when water is electrolyzed.

Also disclosed herein is a method for extended nerve block utilizing a plurality of renewable electrodes. The method can deliver a first direct current with a first polarity through a first electrode proximate a nerve sufficient to block conduction in the nerve, the electrode comprising a solid component and an ionic component; delivering a second direct current with a second polarity opposite the first polarity through a second electrode spaced axially apart from the first electrode and proximate the nerve while the nerve is in the hypersuppressed state; and/or reversing the polarities of the first direct current and the second direct current, wherein reversing the polarities maintains the nerve in the hypersuppressed state.

In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a method for extended nerve block utilizing at least one renewable electrode. The method can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate a nerve sufficient to block conduction in the nerve. Delivering the first direct current can place the nerve in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nerve after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The method can also include delivering a second direct current with a second polarity opposite the first polarity through the electrode entirely while the nerve remains in the hypersuppressed state. The electrode can be, for example, an electrochemical or capacitive electrode. A capacitive electrode can include tantalum or titanium, for example. The electrode can include silver and/or silver chloride in some cases. Delivering the first direct current can change the electrode from a first configuration to a second configuration, and delivering the second direct current transforms the electrode from the second configuration back to the first configuration, or at least closer to the first configuration. The second configuration can include a lower amount and/or a lower charge than a material than the first configuration.

Also disclosed herein is a method for nervous tissue block utilizing at least one renewable electrode. The method can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate nervous tissue sufficient to block conduction in the nervous tissue. Delivering the first direct current can place the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nervous tissue after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The method can also include maintaining the nervous tissue in the hypersuppressed state for at least about 1 minute, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, or more. The method can also include sensing the conduction ability of the nervous tissue, and/or maintaining the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state by delivering a third direct current through the electrode to the nervous tissue after sensing the conduction ability of the nervous tissue, wherein the third direct current has the same polarity as the first direct current. Sensing the conduction ability of the nervous tissue can include delivering a stimulus pulse to the nervous tissue and measuring a compound action potential signal, and/or measuring potential differences via a reference electrode. The nervous tissue could include one or more of a nerve, such as a spinal, cranial, or peripheral nerve, or brain tissue, dorsal root ganglia, tissue of the spinothalamic tract, autonomic nervous tissue, sympathetic nervous tissue, or parasympathetic nervous tissue. The direct current can be therapeutically effective to treat pain, such as acute or chronic pain and/or ischemic pain. The direct current can also be therapeutically effective to treat a psychiatric condition such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, mania, or schizophrenia; a movement disorder such as Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, spasticity, or essential tremor; and/or a cardiopulmonary condition such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy, angina, or an arrhythmia.

Also disclosed herein is a system for extended nerve block utilizing a reversible electrode. The system can include one or more of a direct current generator; at least one electrode comprising a solid component, an ionic component, and a nerve interface adjacent the ionic component; a controller configured to signal the direct current generator to: deliver a first direct current with a first polarity through the electrode sufficient to block conduction in a nerve; maintain the nerve in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nerve after cessation of delivering of the first direct current; and/or deliver a second direct current with a second polarity through the electrode entirely while the nerve remains in the hypersuppressed state.

Also disclosed herein is a method for providing extended nerve block utilizing a renewable electrode. The method can include delivering a first direct current of a first polarity through an electrode proximate a nerve sufficient to block conduction in the nerve, the electrode comprising a first component and a second component; hypersuppressing the nerve to at least partially prevent conduction of the nerve after cessation of the first direct current; and/or delivering a second direct current of a second polarity opposite the first polarity through the electrode while the nerve is in the hypersuppressed state. The first direct current can decrease an amount of the first component and increase the amount of the second component. The second direct current can increase the amount of the first component and decreases the amount of the second component to renew the electrode. In some embodiments, the method does not fully deplete the first component. The method can also include sensing the amount of at least one of the first component and the second component; and ceasing delivering the first direct current when the amount of the first component reaches a predetermined minimum threshold value. A net charge delivered to the nerve after delivering the first direct current and the second direct current can be zero. The first direct current can be an anodic or cathodic current and the second direct current can be a cathodic or an anodic current. The method can also include sensing the conduction ability of the nerve, and/or maintaining the nerve in a hypersuppressed state by delivering a third direct current through the electrode to the nerve after sensing the conduction ability of the nerve, wherein the third direct current has the same polarity as the first direct current. Sensing the conduction ability of the nerve can include delivering a stimulus pulse to the nerve and measuring a compound action potential signal, and/or measuring potential differences via reference electrode. In some embodiments, there can be a current-free gap in time in between delivering the first direct current of the first polarity and delivering the second direct current of the second polarity.

The method can also include delivering at least one, two, or more additional cycles of direct current. One cycle can include delivering the first direct current of the first polarity and delivering the second direct current of the second polarity opposite the first polarity through the electrode. The method can also include implanting the electrode proximate the nerve, percutaneously positioning the electrode proximate the nerve, and/or transcutaneously positioning the electrode proximate the nerve. The nerve can be spaced apart from the electrode by a gel, a hydrogel, an ion conductive polymer, and/or a layer. The electrode can be partially or completely surrounded by an electrolyte solution, such as an isotonic saline solution.

In some embodiments a direct current delivery system could include any number of features or combination of features as disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of an EICCC electrode in which an electrode is immersed in an electrolyte solution which is in contact with an ion-conductive material-electrolyte solution interface with an ion-conductive material that electrically contacts the nerve tissue N or area proximal to the nerve tissue N.

FIG. 1B is a graph illustrating by pushing a constant current from the current source, the mass of the AgCl electrode can decrease during a cathodic current (reduction reaction) and then increase with an anodic current during an oxidative reaction.

FIG. 1C shows how current being delivered to the electrode cell (EICCC) (top) can be associated with charge delivered to the electrode cell-nerve interface (middle) to provide nerve block (bottom) while enabling zero net charge transfer with long charge phases, according to some embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 1D waveform patterns delivered to an electrode cell to facilitate nerve block are shown in which current delivered to the electrode cell is shown along with corresponding nerve block periods including hypersuppression regions in which nerve block occurs regardless of current being delivered to the nerve tissue, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1E shows an embodiment of an electron-ion current conversion cell (EICCC) which is connected via an electrically insulated lead to a current source.

FIG. 1F illustrates a configuration when the electron current is of one polarity as designated by the positive axis, the nerve block is shown to be active and when the polarity of the current is reversed as designated by the negative axis, the nerve block is shown to be inactive.

FIG. 1G shows a similar configuration to FIG. 1E but with sequestration screens that respectively separate the traditional electrode from the ion conductor and the ion conductor from the nerve itself.

FIG. 1H illustrates current vs. time and nerve block status vs. time charts similar to FIG. 1F.

FIG. 1I shows a similar configuration to FIG. 1H but also includes a feedback sensor that monitors the state of the nerve tissue and/or region proximal to the nerve N.

FIG. 1J illustrates current vs. time and nerve block status vs. time charts similar to FIG. 1I.

FIG. 2A shows a dual electrode system in which two EICCCs interface with a nerve, according to some embodiments.

As shown in the graphs of FIG. 2B, two electrodes are driven with currents of opposite polarities as a function of time such that when one is in an active blocking phase, the other is in an inactive non-blocking phase which resets the electrode for blocking once the current polarity is again reversed.

FIGS. 3A-B show an embodiment where dual traditional electrodes interface with a nerve but are driven from a current source via electrically insulated leads with currents of opposite polarities such that when one is in a blocking phase, the other is in a non-blocking phase which resets the electrode for blocking once the current polarity is again reversed.

FIGS. 3C-D show an embodiment where dual EICCCs interface with a nerve N but are driven with currents of opposite polarities such that when one is in a blocking phase, the other is in a non-blocking phase which resets the electrode for blocking once the current polarity is again reversed.

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of an EICCC electrode in which an electrode is immersed in an electrolyte solution which fluidly in is contact with an ion-conductive material such as a hydrogel, gel or other polymer that electrically contacts the nerve tissue or area proximal to the nerve tissue.

FIG. 4B shows a system similar to that shown in FIG. 4A with the addition of a reference electrode in proximity to the electrode (working electrode) to monitor voltage drop across the working electrode for EICCC monitoring purposes.

FIG. 4C shows a system similar to that shown in FIG. 4A with the addition of a reference electrode in proximity to the nerve tissue interface to monitor voltage drop across the EICCC to the nerve tissue for EICCC monitoring purposes.

FIGS. 4D-4F show an embodiment of an electrode lead configured to plug into and extend from a current source (not shown, near end) that might take the form of conventional IPGs (implantable pulse generators).

FIG. 4G shows a schematic embodiment of an EICCC integrated within a hermitically sealed enclosure which contains the current source, battery or power supply, and controller to drive the EICCC.

FIGS. 5A-B show an embodiment of an electrode configuration in which two electrode contacts are housed within the same electrically insulated enclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates a dorsal root, and/or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) through which pain signals pass.

FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of a blocking electrode positioned along a DRG to facilitate nerve block along with lead and current source.

FIG. 6C illustrates that a DRG can be accessed with a needle, and the needle can be used to penetrate the dura mater as shown.

As shown in FIG. 6D and FIG. 6E, the electrode-nerve interface contacts can then be positioned in contact or proximal to the DRG and the introducing needle can be retracted to leave the electrode lead and nerve tissue interface in the desired position.

FIG. 7 shows associated dorsal root ganglia from each vertebral level correspond to specific dermatomes in the body, and blocking pain signals at the DRG level can reduce pain sensation at the innervated dermatome for that specific DRG.

FIG. 8A illustrates placement of stimulating electrodes in proximity to the lateral spinothalamic tract (LT tract), which can leverage an EICCC to generate a nerve block at the desired level (and/or spinal levels distal (away from the head) to the EICCC since pain signals travel in the superior direction) and provide selective pain block depending on unilateral (left or right) or bilateral placement of electrodes.

FIG. 8B illustrates a percutaneous placement procedure with or without fluoroscopic guidance such as by using a Tuohy or similar needle to introduce the electrode lead into the epidural space.

The leads can be directed along the spinal column within the epidural space such that the lead is between spinal nerve exit regions and the tissue interface is in proximity to the lateral spinothalamic tract as illustrated in FIGS. 8C-8E.

FIG. 9A shows an electron-ion current conversion cell (EICCC) electrode configured to interface with a deep brain block (DBB) target in the thalamus.

In FIG. 9B an embodiment of a blocking/suppressing electrode with an integrated sensing electrode is shown.

An embodiment of an EICCC electrode is shown in FIGS. 10A-10C in which multiple tissue interfaces are present on the electrode and are individually addressable.

FIG. 10B is a close-up view of 10B-10B of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a close-up view of 10C-10C of FIG. 10A.

As shown in FIG. 11, the blocking electrode leads contact the renal nerves to facilitate a block or suppression Also systematically illustrated is EICCC openly connected at to current source (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 12, the relevant sympathetic ganglia including the cervical and stellate (cervicothoracic) ganglia are shown along with their innervation targets in the heart.

FIG. 13 illustrates select sympathetic nervous system-related anatomy.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of an EICCC electrode placed around or in proximity to the right (and/or left) vagus nerve within the right side of the neck and/or chest with an electrode lead running down toward an implantable current source shown in the right pectoral region.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate an embodiment of a dual EICCC system in which each vagus nerve is wrapped in a cuff-format tissue interface at which ionic current is deposited at the tissue site from the EICCCs.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates non-limiting anatomy where sympathetic nerve suppression or block can also be used to regulate hepatic function and influence glucose and insulin production.

FIG. 18 illustrates an EICCC system in which the nerves around the hepatic artery and the artery are surrounded by a cuff-format tissue interface, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application describes, in some aspects, methods and systems for management of chronic and acute pain states via safe application of direct current (DC) to facilitate nerve block including nerve hypersuppression, or nerve block without rapid reversibility or recovery after direct current application has been removed or stopped. By interfacing with the nerve via ionic conduction pathways instead of conventional electrodes that that do not have an ionic conduction component, an intermittent or continuous short term and long-term nerve block can be generated while reducing risk of damage to the nerve cells. What is disclosed in some embodiments are systems and electrodes for safely delivering blocking direct current (DC) to neural tissue by delivering cycled cathodic and anodic current through a high-charge chemistry. Tissue safety can be maintained by separating the metal interface from the nerve tissue with an ionically conductive element, and by operating the electrode below reaction potentials for undesired reactions, such as electrolysis of water, or oxidation and reduction of water (H2O), which create harmful reactive species such as OH−, H+ or oxygen free radicals.

Chronic pain is a significant burden on individuals and society as a whole. Nearly 50 million adults are estimated to have significant chronic or severe pain in the US alone. (See Nahin, Estimates of Pain Prevalence and Severity in Adults: United States, 2012, The Journal of Pain, 2015 Aug. 16(8): 769-780) Worldwide, chronic pain is estimated to affect more than 1.5 billion people. (Borsook, A Future Without Chronic Pain: Neuroscience and Clinical Research, Cerebrum, 2012 June) While surgical techniques are sometimes applied to remove a specific source of pain, typically due to impingement of a nerve, in many cases the precise cause of pain is not clear and cannot be reliably addressed via a surgical procedure. Pain management can alternatively be addressed by overwhelming the central nervous system with stimulating signals that prevent registration of pain inputs (gate control theory of pain). Typically, this stimulation in the case of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is performed using metal electrodes and alternating current (AC) stimulation to produce these additional stimulating signals to prevent pain sensation. However, one major drawback is the presence of paresthesia, a sensation of tingling in the innervated region downstream from the stimulated nerve. Methods to eliminate paresthesia which patients can find discomforting have led to different means of stimulation from conventional tonic SCS (˜30-120 Hz) stimulation including high frequency stimulation (˜10 kHz) and burst stimulation (e.g., five pulses at 500 Hz delivered 40 times per second). (Tjepkema-Cloostermans et al, Effect of Burst Evaluated in Patients Familiar With Spinal Cord Stimulation, Neuromodulation, 2016 Jul. 19(5):492-497).

An alternative means to manage pain signaling to the central nervous system is to prevent conduction of the pain signals from the peripheral signal source by directly blocking the pain signals as compared to masking the pain signals by generating alternative neural inputs to crowd out and inhibit pain signal transmission as in traditional SCS and gate theory. One means to do this is by applying a direct current (DC) to a nerve to prevent action potential (AP) generation and transmission. Because this does not stimulate the nerve as in traditional stimulation, paresthesia can be avoided. The mechanism leading to AP block has been attributed to a depolarization block that deactivates the sodium channels required for an action potential event under the electrode site. (See Bhadra and Kilgore, Direct Current Electrical Conduction Block of Peripheral Nerve, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2004 Sep. 12(3): 313-324).

Bhadra et al. showed that upon application of DC to nerve tissue, action potential conduction can be blocked (See Bhadra and Kilgore, Direct Current Electrical Conduction Block of Peripheral Nerve, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2004 Sep. 12(3): 313-324). The authors showed that removal of DC delivery from the same nerve tissue resulted in instantaneous restoration of nerve conduction. However, direct current has long been known to be dangerous to nerve tissue due to creation of toxic species at the electrode-nerve interface (Merrill, Electrical Stimulation of Excitable Tissue: Design of Efficacious and Safe Protocols, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 2005, 141:171-198). Ackermann et al and Fridman et al have developed systems and methods of safely delivering DC to nerve tissue by separating the toxic species created at the electrode interface from the nerve tissue (U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,008,800 and 9,498,621; Ackermann et al, Separated Interface Nerve Electrode Prevents Direct Current Induced Nerve Damage, J Neurosci Methods, 2011 Sep. 201(1):173-176; Fridman and Santina, Safe Direct Current Stimulation to Expand Capabilities of Neural Prostheses, IEEE Transaction of Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2013 Mar. 21(2):319-328; Fridman and Santina, Safe Direct Current Stimulator 2: Concept and Design, Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Bio Soc, 2013: 3126-3129), each of the foregoing of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. They also teach that rapid reversibility of nerve blockade is desirable and achievable through halting of DC delivery. Ackermann et al. teaches that an undesired, but reversible, suppression of nerve activity occurs with long term direct current delivery (where nerve tissue was shown to be non-conductive for a short period of time following cessation of DC delivery) (U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,008,800 and 9,498,621; Ackermann et al, Separated Interface Nerve Electrode Prevents Direct Current Induced Nerve Damage, J Neurosci Methods, 2011 September 201(1):173-176), each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Those authors specifically teach methods to reduce this suppression of nerve activity by limiting the duration of DC delivery to allow rapid nerve recovery upon cessation of DC delivery (e.g., within seconds) (U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,008,800 and 9,498,621; Ackermann et al, Separated Interface Nerve Electrode Prevents Direct Current Induced Nerve Damage, J Neurosci Methods, 2011 September 201(1):173-176). What is invented and described herein in some embodiments are systems and methods for doing the opposite of that which is taught by Ackermann et al: intentionally blocking nerve activity by using periodic DC pulses to intentionally place neural tissue in a state of hypersuppression without rapid reversibility upon cessation of DC delivery (reversibility that occurs in many minutes to hours, as opposed to seconds or less than a minute). Furthermore, what is invented and described herein in some embodiments are systems and methods of treating pain by the aforementioned systems and methods, specifically through selective blockade of antero-lateral column tissue in the spinal cord. Furthermore, what is invented and described herein are systems and methods of treating pain by the aforementioned systems and methods, specifically through selective blockade of dorsal root tissue and/or dorsal root ganglia. Furthermore, what is invented and described herein are systems and methods of treating pain by the aforementioned systems and methods, specifically through blockade of one or more peripheral nerves.

With targeted nerve block, pain from specific dermatomes and pain in regional body sites can be managed. A number of localized targets implicated in moderating pain signal transduction can be addressed. For example, both more centrally located nerve tissues such as the spinothalamic tract and dorsal root ganglion can be targeted to manage lower back pain, sciatica, and complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS) among other pain considerations.

Electrodes where current in the form of ions is generated proximal to the at least one target nerve may comprise a ionically conductive material such as a liquid (e.g., saline or other electrolyte solution), gel, hydrogel, hydrocolloid, polymer, or film. In an alternative embodiment, the ionically conductive materials may be separated by a screen or other filter or membrane material from the nerve tissue. This separating interface may be configured to selectively allow ions through to the nerve to reduce nerve damage such as microporous screens, non-woven screens, ion-exchange membranes (IEM), supported liquid membranes or ionogels, polymer electrolytes such as polyethylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (PVDF-HFP), solid ion conductors, and ion-selective films including cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes.

The nerve-interfacing element of the electrode may be further configured to be exposed selectively along the electrode and may be otherwise insulated from the nerve by an ionically impermeable layer. The impermeable layer may also be configured to be electrically insulating to current.

The ionically conducting material may also be separated into multiple regions which may contain different types of ionically conducting material. The interfaces between the different regions may be delineated by semi-permeable membranes or screens that allow for selective or general ionic flow but limit the passage of damaging by products from the conversion of electron current to ionic current. This separating element may be configured to selectively allow ions through to the nerve to reduce nerve damage such as microporous screens, non-woven screens, ion-exchange membranes (IEM), supported liquid membranes or ionogels, polymer electrolytes such as polyethylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (PVDF-HFP), solid ion conductors, and ion-selective films including cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes. The different ionically conducting materials may also take different forms. As an example, the nerve may be in contact with a hydrogel which is in contact with a liquid such as an electrolyte solution which then is in contact with a traditional electrical current electrode material.

In some embodiments the traditional electrode may be made from a material such as platinum, platinum-iridium, carbon, titanium nitride, copper, tantalum, silver, silver-chloride or other metals and materials or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the traditional electrode may be made from carbon, graphite, glassy carbon, dendritic carbon, or other conductive materials. By using high-charge chemistry amplitude and duration of direct current (DC) block can be increased. Candidate chemistries include using a combination of Ag/AgCl electrode in an electrolyte bath (or other suitable ionically conductive material) such as saline that is in ionic contact with neural tissue of interest. In some embodiments the electrode is reversible and can be restored to its initial state. In some embodiments the electrode is sacrificial and the electrochemical reaction that occurs at the electrode cannot be reversed to restore the electrode to its initial state.

The combination of traditional electron-carrying electrode material and ionic conducting material and the conversion mechanism can be collectively characterized as an electron-ion current conversion cell (EICCC). One such example might be a silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrode immersed in a saline, e.g., isotonic 0.9% NaCl saline solution fluidly in contact with a saline-containing hydrogel. Upon driving of an electric current through the conventional electrode, reduction of the solid AgCl will drive conversion to solid Ag and Cl− ion formation generating a flow of ions or an ion current. This ionic current flow can be used to modulate the nerve membrane potential and, for example, create a blockade of nerve conduction. The membrane potential may be modulated in such a manner that the potential is ramped up slowly enough to avoid action potential generation as the nerve tissue is depolarized. Upon reversal of the electric current, oxidation of the previously formed Ag or other Ag in the Ag/AgCl electrode will be oxidized to generate AgCl deposits on the electrode, driving the ion current in the opposite direction. Due to the extremely low solubility of Ag and AgCl in saline, the electrode remains mechanically intact during forward and reverse current delivery. In combination, the reduction-oxidation reactions create a fully reversible EICCC. To maintain the preferred reduction-oxidation reaction between Ag and AgCl (or other electrode materials), the amount, e.g., mass, volume, density, or another parameter of the AgCl on the electrode may be maintained within 5%-95%, 10%-90%, 20%-80%, 25%-75%, 30%-70% of its original starting mass on the electrode to ensure that the AgCl is never depleted or saturated, enabling other deleterious reactions from happening at the electrode. In some embodiments, the amount of the electrode can be maintained at least about, or no more than about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, or ranges of between about any two of the foregoing values. In other words, the electrode is reversible and can be restored to its original or substantially to its near-original state. To generate more surface area for the electrochemical reactions to occur, the traditional electrodes may be made from high surface area to volume structures such as roughened surfaces, woven surfaces, patterned surfaces, reticulated foam structures, porous sintered bead structures, nano- or micro-patterned structures to expose additional material surface area. High-charge chemistry electrodes can be biocompatible, or suitably sequestered from body if not. A high surface area electrode material (e.g. Ag/AgCl) in the EICCC may be utilized specifically to decrease the electrode potential drop or to reduce the increase in electrode potential drop which may occur with prolonged current delivery. In some embodiments the EICCC driving current may be between about 0 mA and about 1 mA, between about 1 mA and about 2 mA, between about 2 mA and about 4 mA, between about 4 mA and about 8 mA, higher than about 8 mA, about 0.5 mA, 1 mA, 2 mA, 3 mA, 4 mA, 5 mA, 6 mA, 7 mA, 8 mA, 9 mA, 10 mA, or ranges incorporating any two of the foregoing values. In some embodiments this driving current is then used to generate a corresponding ionic current of similar magnitude, depending on the specific electrochemical reactions.

Another embodiment of the EICCC may comprise a material such as tantalum or titanium nitride to generate a capacitive traditional electrode interface instead of an interface at which an electrochemical reaction occurs. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) such as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), nickel titanium dioxide (Ni/TiO2), and other titanium dioxide (TiO2) constructs are also candidate materials that have high charge carrying capacities. In this configuration, charge generation at the traditional electrode surface would attract ionic species from the ionically conductive material until the charge at the traditional electrode interface is passivated. Charging of the capacitive material with an electric current of one polarity can generate current flow in the form of ions. Reversing the polarity of the current flow to the capacitive material can effectively reset the system for a subsequent charging to generate further ionic current flow. To generate more surface area for increased ion current flow capacity to occur, the traditional electrodes may be made from high surface area to volume structures such as roughened surfaces, reticulated foam structures, porous sintered bead structures, nano- or micro-patterned structures to expose additional material surface area. In one embodiment, this capacitive structure is in fluid contact with an electrolyte solution that contacts an electrolyte-saturated hydrogel in contact with target nerve tissue to enable ion current flow to the tissue.

In a further embodiment of the EICCC, a combination of both electrochemical and capacitive mechanisms may be used to convert current in the form of electrons to current in the form of ions.

To deliver ionic current to the nerve to facilitate a block, the traditional electrode may be connected via a conductive lead to one or more current sources. A single nerve-electrode interface can provide nerve block when current is applied in one polarity to the EICCC (blocking phase). When the current polarity is reversed to return the electrode to its original state (which may be a non-blocking phase or also a blocking phase), the nerve may or may not continue to block pain stimulus from passing along the nerve. If the nerve has been placed into a state of hypersuppression, the nerve will continue to prevent AP propagation and block pain regardless of the phase state of the electrode. Fridman and Santina have described a means to enable continuous block when current polarity is reversed as driven by an alternating current (AC) using a series of valves to direct current flow direction (Fridman and Santina, Safe Direct Current Stimulation to Expand Capabilities of Neural Prostheses, IEEE Transaction of Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2013 Mar. 21(2):319-328; Fridman and Santina, Safe Direct Current Stimulator 2: Concept and Design, Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Bio Soc, 2013: 3126-3129). However, in some cases it is desirable to have a more simple system which does not require the use of valves which present additional failure points and add bulk to an implantable system. A simpler, more robust system may be configured without valves and such moving parts by using multiple EICCCs to provide constant stimulation of the nerve tissue itself. In one embodiment to provide continuous block, two nerve-electrode interfaces are present and connected to one or more current sources. The first nerve-electrode interface EICCC is run with the current in one polarity to drive a block while the second nerve-electrode interface EICCC is run with the opposite polarity. After a period of time, the current polarities of the first and second EICCCs are reversed and the second nerve-electrode interface provides a block while the first nerve-electrode interface EICCC state is reversed to its prior state. By cycling the dual-EICCC electrode currents, a continuous block can be maintained at the target nerve. As can be appreciated, more than two, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more EICCCs may also be used to facilitate the same continuous block. Electrodes may also be run in either monopolar or bipolar configurations. In some embodiments the EICCC system is configured to not have any mechanically moving parts such as valves or hinges.

Alternatively, nerve activity may be suppressed which means that nerve activity remains blocked even after removal or discontinuation of the blocking current. The nerve may be further put into a state of hypersuppression in which the nerve remains blocked without rapid reversibility after cessation of DC delivery. Modulation of the initial current delivered to the nerve tissue including ramp rate, current amplitude, total charge delivery, and waveform shape can be used to place the nerve in a state of suppression. During the state of suppression, the EICCC may be returned to its initial state by reversing the current polarity used to generate the initial block and suppression state. During the period of reverse current flow, the nerve may remain in a state of hypersuppression. In another configuration the EICCC may deliver subsequent blocking current inputs that extend the suppression duration, with periods of no current delivery, or of reversal current in between blocking current doses. The nerve tissue may remain in a state of hypersuppression during the periods of non-blocking current input. In another configuration, the EICCC may be configured to deliver subsequent current inputs on a schedule. In some embodiments, the DC block waveform may have an amplitude of between 0-250 microamps, 250-500 microamps, 500-1000 microamps, 1000-1500 microamps, or 2000 microamps, or higher, or about, at least about, or no more than about 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100, 1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500, 1,600, 1,700, 1800, 1,900, 2000 microamps or more, or other ranges incorporating any two of the aforementioned values. Placing a nerve into a state of hypersuppression may be facilitated in some embodiments by delivering a charge of 10-50 millicoulombs, 50-100 millicoulombs, 100-500 millicoulombs, 500-1000 millicoulombs, or 1000 millicoulombs or greater, or about, at least about, or no more than about 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, or more millicoulombs, or other ranges incorporating any two of the aforementioned values, and depending on nerve size and desired hypersuppression duration. DC block amplitude and current duration may be tuned to enable hypersuppression in the range of, for example, 0-0.5 times the duration of initial DC block, 0.5-1 times the duration of initial DC block, 1-1.5 times the duration of initial DC block, 1.5-2 times the duration of initial DC block, and greater than 2 times the duration of initial DC block, or about, at least about, or no more than about 0.1×, 0.2×, 0.3×, 0.4×, 0.5×, 0.6×, 0.7×, 0.8×, 0.9×, 1×, 1.1×, 1.2×, 1.3×, 1.4×, 1.5×, 1.6×, 1.7×, 1.8×, 1.9×, 2×, 2.5×, 3×, 4×, 5×, or more relative to the duration of initial DC block, or ranges including any two of the aforementioned values.

Sensing the local state of and proximal to the nerve tissue can also provide a useful measure for determining when to provide current inputs to extend nerve suppression as well as to provide a feedback loop for initial current delivery to generate the initial nerve block by modulating the nerve potential such that it cannot transmit action potentials. In one embodiment the nerve's ability to conduct action potentials is monitored such that as direct current is delivered to the nerve tissue, the direct current delivery can be maintained to ensure that the nerve block is maintained, for example. Nerve conduction ability may be monitored by any suitable measure such as delivering a stimulus pulse and measuring compound action potential signal.

In some embodiments sensing is in the form of a reference electrode to measure potential differences relative to the two electrodes which are passing the active current. In some embodiments the active current is modulated in response to one or more measured electrode potentials relative to the reference electrode. In some embodiments the active current is modulated when measured electrode potential indicates that undesired electrochemical reactions may occur at one or more active electrodes. For example, active current may be reduced or ceased upon measurement of an active electrode potential that indicates water electrolysis is occurring or possible. The EICCC may be operated with a direct current input or by applying a potential difference between the working electrode and an auxiliary or counter electrode. In some embodiments, a reference electrode may be located within the EICCC or at the distal end of the EICCC proximal to the nerve tissue.

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of an EICCC electrode 100 in which an electrode 104 is immersed in an electrolyte solution 102 which in is contact with an ion-conductive material—electrolyte solution interface 107 with an ion-conductive material 106 such as a fluid, hydrogel, gel or other polymer that electrically contacts the nerve tissue N or area proximal to the nerve tissue N. The EICCC electrode 100 also comprises an electrically insulated, biocompatible enclosure 108 housing the traditional electrode 104, electrolyte 102, and biocompatible ion conducting material 106 with an aperture (near 110) to enable electrical contact with the nerve N or area proximal to the nerve tissue N. The system further comprises a current delivery lead 112 between the current source 114 and the electrode 104. The current source 114 may be located external or internal to the body depending on the application need. An exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the EICCC 100 comprises a silver, silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrode in a 0.9% saline solution in fluid contact with an electrolyte saturated hydrogel (agar preparation with 0.9% saline).

With an Ag/AgCl electrode used to generate current via reduction of the AgCl on the electrode in a saline solution (NaCl), a sustainable and reversible electrochemical reaction can be achieved to convert current in the form of electrons into current in the form of ions. As seen in Region 1 of FIG. 1B, by pushing a constant current from the current source, the mass of the AgCl electrode will decrease from mass m2 to mass m1 during a cathodic current (reduction reaction) and then increase as seen in Region 2 from mass m1 back to mass m2 with an anodic current during an oxidative reaction. Furthermore, it can be appreciated that by limiting the maximum mass of the AgCl to m2 such that the mass of unreacted Ag is greater than zero helps prevent the Ag/AgCl reaction from depleting available Ag for the electrochemical reaction and provides a reserve safety factor in the event of excess current delivery similar to maintaining m1 above zero. In Region 3, the current polarity is again reversed to match that of Region 1. By not depleting the AgCl mass to zero, the preferred reaction between conversion of solid AgCl to solid Ag with generation of chlorine ions and vice-versa:

AgCl(s)+e⁻⇔Ag(s)+Cl⁻

Because water electrolysis or hydrolysis happens at higher reduction potential than AgCl, AgCl dissolution will be preferred preventing undesired reactions and generation of OH−, H+ or oxygen free radicals in the EICCC. Further notable is that the absolute value of the area between the current amplitude and the x-axis (time) can be used to define the total charge delivered (or removed) from the electrode to allow for determination or prediction and/or control of the electrode AgCl mass. It will be appreciated that the current waveform shapes in the different regions need not be perfect square waves but may include finite slopes that ramp from zero amplitude to their final maximum amplitude as well as from their maximum waveform amplitude back to zero current. Waveforms may also be non-linear in pattern and may vary between regions. In a preferred embodiment, the total charge delivered in Region 1 is equivalent to the total charge removed in Region 2. In other words, the magnitude of the area below the current waveform in Region 1 is the same as that of Region 2. Different regions may also be spaced apart in time by a period of zero current (not shown) in which the AgCl electrode mass is conserved while no current is being delivered. Not to be limited by theory, the silver-silver chloride system offers several potential benefits over other electrochemical reactions. For example, the standard potential of the silver-silver chloride reaction is about 0.22 V, which is advantageously well below the voltage at which electrolysis occurs. Electrolysis can occur when the magnitude of potential or voltage used to drive a reaction exceeds about 1.23 volts referenced against the standard hydrogen electrode. Electrolysis of water can be detected via one or more sensors, and cease or modulate (increase or decrease) current delivery and/or driving voltage if electrolysis is detected in some cases. The sensors can also detect in some cases whether the silver-silver chloride reaction is exclusively, substantially exclusively, or predominantly occurring rather than electrolysis, hydrolysis, or a redox water reaction, for example. Furthermore, the amount of charge that can be delivered by such a system is not limited by surface area reactions such as in the case of platinum electrodes which form a monolayer of platinum-hydride on the electrode surface before the available platinum for reaction is exhausted leading to other potentially harmful products forming if the reaction is continued to be driven. In contrast, in an aqueous environment when silver-chloride is reduced it forms solid silver and releases a chloride ion into solution and vice-versa. The reaction in each direction is only limited by the quantity of reactant available so the reaction is in effect limited by the total volume of reactant available compared to being limited to surface area. As such, the reaction can utilize an amount of reactant greater than that of the initial, unreacted surface area of the electrode, such as about or at least about 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, 160%, 170%, 180%, 190%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 500%, 1,000%, 5,000%, 10,000%, 25,000%, 50,000%, 100,000%, 500,000%, 1,000,000%, 2,500,000%, 5,000,000%, 10,000,000%, 25,000,000%, 50,000,000%, 100,000,000%, 250,000,000%, 500,000,000%, 1,000,000,000%, or more of the initial total, unreacted surface area of the electrode, or ranges including any two of the aforementioned values and depending on the volume of silver utilized. Therefore, substantially more, and in some cases orders of magnitude more charge can be advantageously delivered to body tissue while remaining below the electrolysis threshold. For example, a platinum or platinum-iridium electrode might deliver 5 microcoulombs per pulse in a 5 mA pulse for 1 millisecond. With embodiment as disclosed herein, it can be possible to achieve about or at least about 1,000×, 5,000×, 10,000×, 50,000×, 100,000×, or more times this charge using DC delivery in the form of a 5 mA pulse with 10 second duration. This may be achieved, for example, by creating a 1 micron coating of AgCl on an electrode of nominal geometry of 3.5 mm length (or between about 1 mm and about 10 mm in length, between about 1 mm and about 5 mm in length, or between about 3 mm and about 4 mm in length) and 1.4 mm diameter (or between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm in diameter, between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm in diameter, or between about 1 mm and about 2 mm in diameter) comparable to existing platinum electrodes. One skilled in the art will appreciate that depending on configuration and reservoir of silver-chloride available, the amount of charge delivered can increase to 10,000×, 100,000×, 1,000,000×, 10,000,000×, 100,000,000× or more, or ranges incorporating any two of the aforementioned values, compared to that achievable using a conventional platinum electrode. The silver-silver chloride complex can thus be uniquely situated for use in body environments because the reaction chemistry involves chloride ions which are one of the most readily available ions in and around body tissue.

FIG. 1C shows how current being delivered to the electrode cell (EICCC) (top) can be associated with charge delivered to the electrode cell-nerve interface (middle) to provide nerve block (bottom) while enabling zero net charge transfer with long charge phases. In Phase 1, charge can be delivered to the electrode cell with a given polarity and constant or variable ramp rate (R1) to then provide a constant or variable current (C1) with subsequent constant or variable ramp (R2) back to zero current. Phase 1 may be, for example, of duration up to 1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month, or 1 year, or longer. In some embodiments, Phase 1 average current is non-zero, but instantaneous current may at times be zero. In some embodiments, Phase 1 is either cathodic or anodic but not both. The initial phase, Phase 1, may be followed by an interphase interval (Interval 1) between cathodic and anodic phases that is greater than or equal to zero seconds. Subsequent to this interval, a second current delivery phase (Phase 2) which may be of duration up to 1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month, or 1 year, or longer can be applied. This second phase is of opposite polarity to Phase 1 where average current is non-zero, but instantaneous current may at times be zero. In Phase 2, charge can be delivered to the electrode cell with a given polarity and constant or variable ramp rate (R3) to then provide a constant or variable current (C2) with subsequent constant or variable ramp (R4) back to zero current. This Phase 2 may then be followed by another interphase interval (Interval 2) that is greater than or equal to zero seconds. The waveform in FIG. 1C may be repeated with identical or differing amplitude and duration parameters as a previous waveform whereby the waveform may be programmed or adjusted by a clinician and/or patient and/or caregiver and/or control system. Adjustments may include adjusting the currents in Phase 1 and Phase 2 such that currents are ramped up and/or down as well as adjusting the durations of the phases t1-t0 and t3-t2, respectively. Interphase intervals can also be adjusted such that their durations t2-t1 and t4-t3 are lengthened or shortened. Any delivery or interphase period could be, for example, at least about, about, or no more than about 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55 seconds; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 minutes; 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 18, or 24 hours; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, 28, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, or more days; 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 24 or more months; or ranges including any two of the aforementioned values.

At the nerve interface the current delivered to the electrode cell can generate an increase in charge (positive or negative) delivered to the nerve interface as shown and may be linear as shown or generally increasing in a linear or non-linear fashion in Phase 1. The net charge delivered remains roughly constant during the gap phase or Interval 1 then returns to zero during Phase 2. Initially, the period of nerve block (FIG. 1C bottom) is initiated somewhere during the beginning of Phase 1 and nerve block will remain active (solid line) while charge is being delivered to the nerve interface. However, nerve suppression as defined by continued nerve block after removal of current delivery to the electrode cell may continue after current delivery to the nerve is stopped and may persist into the Interval 1 period (ii), extend into Phase 2 (iii) independent of the opposite polarity current being delivered, or into Interval 2 (iv), or beyond (not pictured). Tuning of these parameters can lead to the placement of the nerve into a state of hypersuppression as seen in FIG. 1C (ii), (iii), (iv) in which nerve suppression may occur for durations greater than one minute after removal of DC delivery.

In FIG. 1D waveform patterns delivered to an electrode cell to facilitate nerve block are shown in which current delivered to the electrode cell is shown along with corresponding nerve block periods including hypersuppression regions in which nerve block occurs regardless of current being delivered to the nerve tissue. The electrode cell system is designed such that the cathode and/or anode phase is designed to place the neural tissue in a state of not being conductive (or partially conductive) after the cessation of the current for periods longer than one minute (hypersuppression) after current delivery. In FIG. 1D(i) an electron current has been delivered to the electrode cell to generate an ion current at the neural tissue facilitating a nerve block. After this initial current delivery, the neural tissue then enters a state of hypersuppression whereby in the absence of additional current delivery to the neural tissue, the nerve cannot conduct signals or is not fully conductive. The neural tissue suppressed state may also be extended as shown in FIG. 1D(ii) in which a secondary current is delivered to the neural tissue a period of time after the initial current has been delivered where the delivery of the extension current may occur up to one minute after the initial current is delivered or after periods of longer than one minute (hypersuppression). This pattern of suppression extension may be repeated for a defined period of time or indefinitely with constant or variable length intervals between current delivery phases. To maintain the electrode cell in a charge neutral state over repeated uses, current with opposite polarity may be applied after the initial nerve block current is applied and has placed the nerve into a state of hypersuppression (FIG. 1D(iii)). Subsequently, current of the original polarity can be applied to induce additional hypersuppression extension as shown. In this manner the nerve tissue can be repeatedly “dosed” with anodic and/or cathodic safe DC current to maintain the neural tissue in a state of hypersuppression. The hypersuppression duration is longer in duration than a cathodic and/or anodic delivery phase, allowing for complete net charge reversal during hypersuppression. In these examples, the duration and/or amplitude of the cathode and/or anode phase(s) can be programmed to influence the duration and completeness of the nerve block after current delivery has stopped.

FIG. 1E shows an embodiment of an electron-ion current conversion cell (EICCC) 100 which is connected via an electrically insulated lead 112 to a current source 114. The EICCC 100 comprises a traditional electrode (electrode) 104 material (e.g., metal, carbon, etc.) connected to an ionically conductive material (ion conductor 106) which then interfaces with the nerve tissue N, or tissue in proximity to nerve tissue. In some embodiments, the interface can be within about 3 cm, 2.5 cm, 2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1 cm, 5 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm, or less in proximity to nerve tissue. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the conventional electrode 104 and ionically conductive material 106 may be attached in a multitude of ways such as shown abutting or in an interlocking fashion and the like. The electrode 104 may be inserted within the ion conductor 106 or vice-versa. As shown in FIG. 1F, in one configuration when the electron current is of one polarity as designated by the positive axis, the nerve block is shown to be active and when the polarity of the current is reversed as designated by the negative axis, the nerve block is shown to be inactive. It should be appreciated that in the case in which the initial blocking current is applied to the nerve N in such a manner to induce a state of hypersuppression, the nerve may remain N blocked during the current reversal period. During the current reversal period, the EICCC 100 is in a resetting phase in which the reaction used to generate the ion current is reversed to bring the EICCC 100 components back towards their original state for subsequent blocking current generation.

FIG. 1G shows a similar configuration to FIG. 1E but with sequestration screens 118, 120 that respectively separate the traditional electrode 104 from the ion conductor 106 and the ion conductor 106 from the nerve N itself, or nerve adjacent tissue. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one, two, or more or no screens may be used, or any combination thereof. The screens 118, 120 are configured to selectively allow certain ions to transfer between the respective materials while restricting the movement of other ions whose movement is not desired, for example to maintain reaction species such as Cl− near the electrode. The screens 118, 120 may be comprised of an ionically selective membrane such as an anion exchange membrane that only allows anions to pass through it. FIG. 1H illustrates current vs. time and nerve block status vs. time charts similar to FIG. 1F.

FIG. 1I shows a similar configuration to FIG. 1G but also includes a feedback sensor 122 that monitors the state of the nerve tissue N and/or region proximal to the nerve N. In some embodiments a sensor 122 may be located proximal or distal to the electrode-nerve interface in order to enable measurement of local compound action potential to provide feedback to the current source 114 and EICCC 210 to enable it to modulate electrode current and nerve interface electrode potential to maintain hypersuppression. In some embodiments the sensor 122 may measure nerve tissue voltage signals and use that information as feedback to modulate the current and electric potential generated at the nerve interface. In some embodiments the electric potential is modulated such that the nerve cells are maintained in a depolarization state in which action potentials cannot propagate along the nerve cells. In some embodiments the sensor 122 comprises a reference electrode whereby the potential difference between one or more working electrodes 104 and the reference electrode can be monitored and used as feedback to the current source 114 to ensure proper operating range of the EICCC 210. The implantable packaging may contain an integrated reference or counter electrode. FIG. 1J illustrates current vs. time and nerve block status vs. time charts similar to FIG. 1H.

FIG. 2A shows a dual electrode system in which two EICCCs 220A, 220B interface with a nerve N or nerve adjacent tissue. The two electrodes 220A, 220B are driven with currents of opposite polarities as a function of time such that when one is in an active blocking phase, the other is in an inactive non-blocking phase which resets the electrode for blocking once the current polarity is again reversed as shown in FIG. 2B. With this configuration a constant block can be maintained along the nerve N. It should be appreciated that in the case in which a blocking current is applied to the nerve N in such a manner to induce a state of hypersuppression, the nerve block may remain active during the current reversal period of the electrodes 220A, 220B. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the driving currents for the two electrodes 220A, 220B may be spaced apart in time during which no current is driving one or both electrodes 220A, 220B and that during this period block may be maintained if the nerve N is in a state of suppression. Similarly, the driving currents may be of different durations dependent on the electrodes 220A, 220B themselves and any recovery time of the nerve N during which signal remains blocked while no blocking current is being applied. The electrodes 220A, 220B may be oriented as shown in series axially along a nerve N or oriented on opposite sides to the nerve tissue itself.

FIGS. 3A-B show an embodiment where dual traditional electrodes 104A, 104B interface with a nerve N but are driven from a current source via electrically insulated leads 112 with currents of opposite polarities such that when one is in a blocking phase, the other is in a non-blocking phase which resets the electrode for blocking once the current polarity is again reversed. With this configuration a constant block can be maintained along the nerve. The electrodes 104A, 104B may be oriented as shown in series along a nerve N or oriented on opposite sides to the nerve tissue itself.

FIGS. 3C-D show an embodiment where dual EICCCs 230A, 230B interface with a nerve N but are driven with currents of opposite polarities such that when one is in a blocking phase, the other is in a non-blocking phase which resets the electrode for blocking once the current polarity is again reversed. With this configuration a constant block can be maintained along the nerve N as illustrated in FIG. 3D. The electrodes 230A, 230B interface with the nerve N via screens that sequester deleterious byproducts from dangerous electrochemical reactions to protect the nerve N. The screens may include an ionically selective membrane such as an anion exchange membrane that only allows, for example, anions to pass through it (but not cations).

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of an EICCC electrode 240 in which an electrode 104 is immersed in an electrolyte solution 102 which fluidly in is contact with an ion-conductive material 106 such as a hydrogel, gel or other polymer that electrically contacts the nerve tissue N or area proximal to the nerve tissue. The EICCC 240 electrode also comprises an electrically insulated enclosure 108 housing the traditional electrode 104, electrolyte 102, ion conducting material 106 with an aperture (near 110) to enable electrical contact with the nerve or area proximal to the nerve tissue. The electrolyte-hydrogel 107 interface can alternatively be mediated by an ion selective screen or an ion conductive polymer to sequester by products of any electrochemical reactions to the aqueous region of the cell. The system further optionally comprises a current delivery lead 112 between the current source 114 and the electrode 104. The current source 114 may be located external or internal to the body depending on the application need. An exemplary embodiment of the EICCC 240 comprises a silver, silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrode in a 0.9% saline solution in fluid contact with an electrolyte saturated hydrogel (agar preparation with 0.9% saline). In other examples, the electrode material may comprise metal, carbon, conductive polymers materials and may be configured in a high surface area to volume configuration that may include configurations such as open-celled foam configurations, sintered particle configurations, dendritic configurations or the like.

FIG. 4B shows a system 250 similar to that shown in FIG. 4A with the addition of a reference electrode 111 in proximity to the electrode (working electrode) 104 to monitor voltage drop across the working electrode 104 for EICCC monitoring purposes. For example, to ensure that the electrode 104 is being driven under the desired conditions to ensure that the proper electrochemical reactions are occurring.

FIG. 4C shows a system 260 similar to that shown in FIG. 4A with the addition of a reference electrode 111 in proximity to the nerve tissue interface to monitor voltage drop across the EICCC 260 to the nerve tissue for EICCC monitoring purposes. For example, to ensure that the electrode 104 is being driven under the desired conditions to ensure that the proper electrochemical reactions are occurring.

FIGS. 4D-F show an embodiment of an electrode lead 212 configured to plug into and extend from a current source (not shown, near end 213) that might take the form of conventional IPGs (implantable pulse generators). FIG. 4F is a close-up view of 4E-4E of FIG. 4D. FIG. 4F is a close-up view of 4F-4F in FIG. 4D. This configuration could be similar to as that shown in FIG. 4A except that the nerve interface hydrogel shown in FIG. 4A is removed and the nerve tissue interface comprises a screen or porous frit 404 which contains the electrolyte solution but allows ions to pass to the nerve tissue environment. A connector 213 to the current source is shown with an electrically conductive portion of the electrode lead 213 that extends distal from the connector 213 to the EICCC 400 which couples the electron current to an ionic current via electrochemical reactions. The coiled electrode 402 converts electrical current to ionic current in the EICCC 400 which is then transmitted toward the distal portion of the lead which can be positioned in proximity to the target nerve tissue. Contact with the nerve tissue environment occurs via the ionic current which exits the screen/porous frit 404 that can manipulate the nerve environment.

FIG. 4G shows a schematic embodiment of an EICCC integrated within a hermitically sealed enclosure 410 which contains the current source 412, battery 414 or power supply, and controller 416 to drive the EICCC 280. The EICCC 280 is directly connected to the current source 412 as illustrated and comprises a lead 418 from the current source 412 and an electrode 420 immersed in an electrolyte solution 429 which fluidly is in contact with an ion conductive material 422 such as a hydrogel which in turn contacts the nerve tissue N to be blocked. In this embodiment the electrode element 420 of the EICCC 280 is located relatively proximal to the current source 412 while the nerve contacting lead is located relatively more distally from the current source 412 and extends to the nerve location N. Also illustrated is the ion conductive conduit (e.g. hydrogel connector) 430, connector elementals 432, insulated enclosure 420, and ion conducting electrode lead 428.

FIGS. 5A-B show an embodiment of an electrode configuration 500 in which two electrode contacts are housed within the same electrically insulated enclosure 504. The electrodes 502A, 502B are in ionic contact with ion conducting materials 510/pads 512 that interface with the nerve tissue N and/or area proximal to the nerve. Each electrode 502A, 502B is in electrical communication via its own conductive lead 506 that is driven by the current source 508. The internal electrodes 502A, 502B can be driven cyclically with opposite current polarities to provide a constant nerve block. The current source 508 may be configured to be implantable within the body such that any leads 506 and electrodes 502A, 502B are also fully contained within the body. Alternatively, the current source 508 may be configured to remain outside the body and can be connected via wired or wireless connections in this or other embodiments.

In some embodiments, a system is configured for nerve block at specific nerves. One such nerve is the dorsal root, and/or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) through which pain signals pass (FIG. 6A). The associated dorsal root ganglia from each vertebral level correspond to specific dermatomes in the body (FIG. 7), and blocking pain signals at the DRG level can reduce pain sensation at the innervated dermatome for that specific DRG. Access to the DRG may be facilitated by initial introduction of a needle tip to the DRG. A stylet or obturator in the needle may be used to prevent occlusion of the opening or inadvertent tissue damage due to tissue entrapment by the needle opening. The needle tip may be radiopaque as to be visualized under fluoroscopy or other radiographic means. Removal of the stylet from the needle may also occur in order inject contrast agent to enable visualization of the local structures and to confirm location of the needle tip. A short acting nerve block agent may also be applied to confirm that the targeted DRG body when blocked will provide adequate pain relief. Upon confirmation that the needle is positioned properly and the DRG body is the appropriate target for nerve block, the stylet can be removed if not already removed, and a blocking electrode terminating in an EICCC with a single or multiple electrode-nerve interface contacts can be introduced through the needle. As shown in FIG. 6C the DRG can be accessed with a needle 600, and the needle 600 can be used to penetrate the dura mater as shown. Alternatively, the needle 600 may be positioned just outside the dura mater without puncturing the tissue. The introduced electrode may have radiopaque markers to enable visualization under fluoroscopy. The introduced electrode may also be encased within a secondary sheath that prevents deployment of anchoring elements until the distal end of the sheath is retracted from the distal end of the introduced electrode to expose tissue-anchoring elements. The enclosed electrode may also have stress-relief features such as coils or slack in the electrode body to accommodate bodily motion that might dislodge the electrode without such features. As shown in FIG. 6D and FIG. 6E, the electrode-nerve interface contacts 604 can then be positioned in contact or proximal to the DRG and the introducing needle 600 can be retracted to leave the electrode lead 602 and nerve tissue interface 604 in the desired position. The proximal end of the electrode may be connected to a current source to begin nerve block and ensure proper electrode positioning. Once the appropriate positioning and block have been achieved, the optional electrode sheath can be retracted to expose retention mechanisms such as barbs or frictional elements that prevent dislodging of the electrode from its desired position. Optionally, a conductive gel may be applied between the electrode contact or contacts and nerve interface to further mitigate loss of conduction block if the electrode contacts move relative to the DRG body. In some embodiments, if after deployment of the retention mechanisms, placement must be adjusted, the sheath can be advanced to retract the retention mechanisms and the electrode repositioned before redeploying the retention mechanisms. Once the electrode is properly positioned, the electrode can be disconnected from the current source and the insertion needle removed over the electrode toward its proximal end. The sheath can then be removed in a similar fashion. The current source can then be reconnected to the lead connector to confirm proper placement and that no dislodging has occurred with insertion needle and sheath removal. After an optional evaluative period, the current source may be implanted into the patient body and the electrodes and/or leads may be replaced with permanent electrodes for long-term implantation. The current source may further contain a battery or energy storage unit and electronic circuitry which enables the unit to be programmable from a programming unit that can communicate with the implanted current source when in proximity to the body site close to the current source implantation site. The current source energy source may be optionally rechargeable by the external communication unit such as by inductive charging. FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of a blocking electrode 100 positioned along a DRG to facilitate nerve block along with lead 112 and current source 114. It is understood that nerve block may include hypersuppression of the DRG.

In an alternative embodiment, the current source may be located outside the body of the patient permanently or temporarily to enable nerve block. The electrodes may also be removed once deemed unnecessary thus provided a temporary nerve block as desired. The nerve block may also be turned on and off periodically by modulating the current source as required to enable sensation during procedures that require patient feedback for example.

Block of DRG at specific dermatomes can be used to localize therapeutic pain reduction due to neuralgias, angina, ischemic pain, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In the case of angina, cervical spinal level nerve roots C6 and C7 have been implicated as frequently involved with the associated pain, and localized DRG block at one or both of these levels (with or without block of additional DRG at other levels) could be used to help manage this pain. (Nakajima et al., Cervical angina: a seemingly still neglected symptom of cervical spine disorder?, Spinal Cord, 2006 44:509-513.) For example, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is often localized to a single limb and generating a localized block can provide more specific pain block for the source of pain. For example, the lumbar dorsal root ganglia at levels L2, L3, L4 have been shown to be able to reduce knee pain on the ipsilateral side of the spine using conventional DRG stimulation techniques. (Bussel et al., Successful Treatment of Intractable Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I of the Knee With Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation: A Case Report, Neuromodulation, 2015 Jan. 18(1):58-61) Ischemic pain frequently is localized particularly for patients with poor extremity circulation and may be similarly mitigated by targeting the appropriate DRG levels for block.

As described above and illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D and FIG. 7, an EICCC electrode may be introduced in proximity to a DRG in order to block and/or suppress the nerve tissue in the DRG to prevent distal pain signals from being registered by the individual. Furthermore, multiple dorsal root ganglia may be targeted to generate unilateral and bilateral blocks or to adjust pain coverage based on pain presentation in the body. EICCC electrodes may be placed at the target levels associated with the pain presentation and adjusted to tune the level of pain block and coverage by adjusting the ionic current signal such as by tuning the current amplitude at each DRG level targeted and in contact with an EICCC electrode. Localizing the pain block to specific regions of the body can also help preserve normal sensory function in other regions of the body such that pain signals are not absent and can be used to signal an adverse situation and environmental conditions to the individual.

Compared to traditional SCS in which electrodes are placed along the posterior of the spinal cord in the epidural space, placement of stimulating electrodes 800 in proximity to the lateral spinothalamic tract (LT tract) (FIG. 8A) can leverage an EICCC to generate a nerve block at the desired level (and/or spinal levels distal (away from the head) to the EICCC since pain signals travel in the superior direction) and provide selective pain block depending on unilateral (left or right) or bilateral placement of electrodes 800. Electrode leads 802 may be placed via a laminotomy (FIG. 8A middle, right) to enable access to the epidural space and then the electrodes leads 802 can be introduced and placed into position along the lateral aspect or aspects of the spinal column at the desired level or levels. Leads 802 may also be placed using a percutaneous placement procedure with or without fluoroscopic guidance such as by using a Tuohy or similar needle 808 to introduce the electrode lead 802 into the epidural space (FIG. 8B). The leads 802 can be directed along the spinal column within the epidural space such that the lead 802 is between spinal nerve exit regions and the tissue interface is in proximity to the lateral spinothalamic tract as illustrated in FIGS. 8C-8E. As seen in FIGS. 8C-8E, the electrode lead 802 is positioned laterally to sit outside the lateral spinothalamic tract such that the nerve tract can be blocked with the generated ionic current from the electrode. Leads 802 may also be placed bilaterally to facilitate bilateral block as each lateral spinothalamic tract carries pain information from the contralateral side of the body. The leads 802 may then be connected to a current source to activate the nerve block via tissue interface 804 to ensure proper positioning and signal block. The lead 802 may then be disconnected from the current source and an optional extension cable placed to connect the lead 802 to the implantable current source. The current source may further contain a battery or energy storage unit and electronic circuitry which enables the unit to be programmable from a programming unit that can communicate with the implanted current source when in proximity to the body site close to the current source implantation site. The current source energy source may be optionally wirelessly rechargeable by the external communication unit such as by inductive charging.

In some embodiments multiple electrode leads such as illustrated in FIG. 4D for example may be placed along the spinal cord, targeting the spinothalamic tract as shown in FIG. 8C. Furthermore, the electrodes may be configured to have a multitude of tissue contacting regions whose outputs can be individually adjusted to optimize the nerve tissue block. An embodiment of an EICCC electrode is shown in FIGS. 10A-10C in which multiple tissue interfaces 404A, 404B are present on the electrode 402 and are individually addressable. FIG. 10B is a close-up view of 10B-10B of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a close-up view of 10C-10C of FIG. 10A. In this embodiment a dual system of EICCCs 400 are present and have parallel lumens that are individually associated with each nerve tissue interface region. In FIG. 10 the nerve tissue interface region and associated EICCC are designated by matching letter labels, in this case A and B. Adjusting the current input and corresponding output at the distal end of the electrode can enable electric field shaping to facilitate desired nerve block while minimizing block of undesired structures. An alternative embodiment is captured in FIG. 5 in which individual electrodes are also individually addressable and can be tuned to enable desired block generation.

Using these methods of placement of blocking electrodes along the spinal column to block the spinothalamic tract and the ability to tune the electric field to generate nerve block and/or suppression, specific targets for pain block can be facilitated. For example, trunk pain which is moderated by the thoracic vertebral levels can be modulated by placing leads along the thoracic spine while neck pain may be moderated by providing block and/or suppression in the cervical spine. Upper limb pain may be moderated by providing a combination of cervical and thoracic level block and/or suppression while lower limb pain may be moderated by a combination of lumbar and sacral level block and/or suppression in the spine.

Generation of pain block can be used to facilitate peri-procedural pain block where motor control and non-pain sensations are desired. For example in labor and delivery of a child, one of the challenges with pain management particularly with epidural anesthesia is the reduction in ability to be sensate in the lower body. Due to the non-specific nature of the delivered anesthesia in the epidural space sensory, pain, and motor neurons are impacted. The epidural anesthesia can lead to difficulty with generating pushing force during the birthing process and can lead to numbness a few hours after birth impairing motor abilities such as the ability to walk. In some instances, epidurals are further implicated in fetal and newborn health including breastfeeding difficulty. Using the blocking electrodes described above to target the spinothalamic tract and/or dorsal root ganglia, the undesired pain can be targeted without generating the side effects (or reducing side effects) associated with current epidural anesthesia techniques because only the pain tracts are targeted and not any other motor or sensory tracts. Furthermore, in the case in which ionic current is delivered to the nerve tissue in a reversible blocking fashion, the stopping of block can enable the patient to immediately be restored to normal pain sensation if desired and any off-target block can be reversed enabling immediate body function restoration.

Beyond central nervous system interventions, a safe direct current block can also be facilitated in the peripheral nervous system in which EICCC electrodes are placed in contact or in proximity to peripheral nerves to facilitate block. Specific pain targets include focal pain, phantom limb pain, neuroma pain, and neuralgias. Targeting the peripheral nerves proximally (i.e. closer to the spinal cord) from the site of pain for block can suppress pain from the distal site. Specific to neuralgias, postherpetic neuralgia (after shingles) can be targeted based on the presentation of the outbreak which will trace specific dermatomes. For trigeminal neuralgia, the trigeminal nerve (and/or trigeminal ganglion and/or trigeminal nucleus in the brainstem) can be targeted for block to reduce pain that commonly manifests as facial pain. Another target is the glossopharyngeal nerve which produces pain in the neck and throat. Neuralgia in extremities such as the hands, arms, feet, and legs as frequently caused due to diabetes-related neuropathies are also potential targets.

Outside of pain reduction, nerve block and activity suppression can be used to improve cardiovascular health in specific targeted ways. Hypertension which is implicated as a leading cause of cardiovascular disease has been found to be able to be moderated by modulation of the renal nerves to reduce activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Current techniques exist to denervate or ablate these nerves using a variety of energy sources such as ultrasound and radiofrequency energy. (Krum et al., Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension: a multicentre safety and proof-of-principle cohort study. The Lancet. 2009 373(9671):1275-1281. US Patent Application: 2012/0016226) Using the tools described herein, selective nerve block can be used to facilitate activity reduction in the renal nerves and sympathetic nervous systems to facilitate reduction in hypertension. As shown in FIG. 11, the blocking electrode leads 1100A, 1100B contact the renal nerves to facilitate a block or suppression Also systematically illustrated is EICCC 1104 openly connected at 1106 to current source (not shown). The contact may also be configured in a cuff format to surround the renal artery and provide a circumferential direct current to the outer perimeter of the renal artery and block the nerve tissue surrounding the artery. The delivered blocking current can also be adjusted to fit the individual physiological response to sympathetic nerve block which cannot be done currently with destructive methods such as ablation.

Heart failure is another target disease state with known association with upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system. By using a blocking electrode to moderate the sympathetic ganglia, particularly reducing activity of the cervical sympathetic ganglia, excessive heart activity can be reduced to mitigate overworking of the heart. Similar to dorsal root ganglion access, the cervical ganglia may be accessed for block. As shown in FIG. 12, the relevant sympathetic ganglia including the cervical and stellate (cervicothoracic) ganglia are shown along with their innervation targets in the heart. Methods of access include posterior access as well as through the pleural cavity.

Tachycardia or other tachyarrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, multifocal atrial tachycardia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation for example may also be regulated by modulation of the sympathetic nervous system and can be influenced toward a more normal state by targeting the cervical sympathetic ganglia (FIG. 13) to provide a block of the sympathetic ganglia. Methods of access include posterior access as well as through the pleural cavity.

Modulation of the parasympathetic innervation of the heart can be used to regulate cardiac function. Stimulation of the vagus nerve is known to lead to bradycardia, or bradycardia, and suppression of heart rate. Conversely, by creating a vagal nerve block, the heart rate suppressing neural signaling can be reduced or shut down leading to increase in heart rate by reducing the vagal nerve signal. Particularly, the right vagal nerve which innervates the sinoatrial node to help regulate heart rate can be blocked or suppressed to enable increase in heart rate. As seen in FIG. 14, an EICCC electrode 1400 can be placed around or in proximity to the right (and/or left) vagus nerve within the right side of the neck and/or chest with an electrode lead 1402 running down toward an implantable current source 1404 shown in the right pectoral region. The electrode lead 1402 may be placed in the right subclavian region or other desired location and tunneled below the skin to the current source.

In addition to cardiovascular function, the nervous system plays a significant role in regulating gastric processes including satiety (lack of hunger) and satiation (fullness). The vagus nerves innervate the stomach with the majority of signals to the brain reporting state of satiety and satiation. Using the EICCC electrode 1600, a block or nerve suppression of the vagus nerves can be generated to give the individual a heightened sense of satiety and satiation. Gastrointestinal nerves can also be modulated to either increase or decrease GI transit time. As seen in FIGS. 15-16, an exemplary dual EICCC system is shown in which each vagus nerve is wrapped in a cuff-format tissue interface 1606 at which ionic current is deposited at the tissue site from the EICCCs 1600 which are connected via electrode leads 1602 as well as to the current source 1604. The tissue interface may be moderated by a porous frit or other ionically conductive medium such as a conductive hydrogel as previously described herein. FIG. 16 is a close-up view of FIG. 15 near the gastro-esophageal junction region.

Sympathetic nerve suppression or block can also be used to regulate hepatic, gallbladder, and/or pancreatic function and influence glucose and insulin production as shown in FIG. 17. Suppressing or blocking the hepatic nerves can lead to increase insulin production and reduce resistance to insulin enabling management of adult onset or type 2 diabetes in which insulin production is reduced or resistance to insulin function is increased. Using the EICCC electrode 1800, a block or nerve suppression of the hepatic nerves can be generated to increase insulin production and reduce insulin resistance. As seen in FIG. 18, an EICCC system is shown in which the nerves around the hepatic artery and the artery are surrounded by a cuff-format tissue interface 1806 at which ionic current is deposited at the tissue site from the EICCC 1800 connected via an electrode lead 1802 as well as to the current source 1804. The tissue interface 1806 may be moderated by a porous frit or other ionically conductive medium such as a conductive hydrogel as previously described herein. In other embodiments, splenic neuromodulation could either improve depressed immune function, or reduce inflammation or hyperimmune function (e.g., in autoimmune conditions such as SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), or other conditions.

Movement disorders including Tourette's syndrome, dystonia, Parkinson's disease (and associated rigidity), essential tremor, spasticity, and epilepsy can also be influenced by moderating neural tissue activity. These disorders and diseases are characterized by neural hyperactivity in specific parts of the brain, which can lead to the symptomatic presentation. Targeting specific regions of the brain for block including those captured in Table 1 below can be used to help manage a patient's symptoms. It is recognized that blocking of these targets could be either unilateral or bilateral.

TABLE 1 Movement disorders and brain region targets for nerve tissue block for symptom reduction. Disease, Disorder Region of the Brain Tourette's 1. anteromedial globus pallidus syndrome 2. Ventral anterior thalamus 3. Ventrolateral motor part of thalamus Dystonia 1. Internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) Parkinson's 1. Internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) disease 2. Subthalamic nucleus (STN), 3. Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), 4. Vim (ventro-intermediate nucleus) (a subdivision  of the thalamus) Essential Tremor 1. Thalamus (Vim: ventro-intermediate nucleaus) 2. posterior subthalamic area (PSA) Epilepsy 1. Anterior nucleus of the thalamus 2. Other identified epileptogenic foci

Similarly, psychiatric disorders including treatment resistant depression (TRD), anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have are targets for neural block to reduce symptoms from these conditions. Targeting specific regions of the brain for block including those captured in the Table 2 below can be used to help manage a patient's symptoms. It is recognized that blocking of these targets could be either unilateral or bilateral. Other disorders that can be treated can include, for example, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, mania, alcoholism, substance abuse, and others.

TABLE 2 Psychiatric disorders and brain region targets for nerve block for symptom reduction. Disease, Disorder Region of the Brain Treatment 1. Subgenual cingulate cortex, Resistant 2. Inferior thalamic peduncle, and Depression 3. Nucleus accumbens Anxiety 1. Nucleus accumbens OCD 1. Ventral internal capsule 2. Ventral striatum PTSD 1. Basolateral amygdala

Chronic pain is another target in which specific regions in the brain have been implicated in affecting chronic pain. One such region is the thalamus which is the entry point for pain signaling to the brain. Specific regions in the thalamus have been identified as targets for neural activity reduction to reduce chronic pain as shown in Table 3 below. It is recognized that blocking of these targets could be either unilateral or bilateral

TABLE 3 Brain region targets for nerve block for pain reduction. Disease, Disorder Region of the Brain Chronic pain 1. Ventromedial thalamic nuclei 2. Intralaminar thalamic nuclei

In some embodiments a system is configured for generation of nerve block for disorders and diseases that can be addressed by reducing neural activity in specific regions of the brain responsible for the specific disorder. Neural activity reduction can be facilitated by directly blocking and reducing activity of specific neurons as well as by blocking pathways along which excessive neural signaling is occurring. In some embodiments, this system for deep brain block (DBB) comprises all or some of the steps of identification of the anatomic target site for block, creating an access site to the exterior of the brain tissue, creating a path through the brain tissue to the target site, evaluating the suitability of the target site for block, adjusting or refining the location of the target site, providing nerve block at the target site, and adjusting the nerve tissue block strength or location. Practically, this process may be implemented using techniques known in the field of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in which a target anatomic site is identified using a combination of imaging techniques such as but not limited to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including functional MRI (fMRI), computed tomography (CT), PET scanning, and/or x-rays. This site can then be accessed using stereotactic techniques to register an identified region from imaging to the physical anatomy on the patient. A frame may be fixed to the patient's head and skull to allow for spatial registration during the procedure. An access site to the brain tissue in the form of a burr hole or craniotomy can be formed with or without additional access tools fixed to the skull such as insertion cannula and advancement/retraction equipment to access the target site. Advancement of a nerve tissue activity measurement probe through the brain tissue to the target site may be used to enable evaluation of the suitability of the brain region. This probe may record neural activity to determine that the measured signals are consistent with that of tissue requiring block. If the signal characteristics indicate that the location is not optimal or appropriate for block, the probe may be adjusted until the correct location is identified. The measurement probe may be exchanged with the blocking electrode which can then be inserted with the active portion of the electrode positioned within the target site. Activation of the blocking signal can then be used to assess efficacy of the block as well as to tune the strength of the signal. The blocking electrode can then be fixed to the skull to maintain the active portion's (e.g., region delivering ionic current) position at the target site. An extension lead can be connected to the affixed blocking electrode and connected to an implantable current source, similar to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), whose output signal can be adjusted to facilitate optimal symptom reduction. Blocking electrodes may be implanted unilaterally or bilaterally as the contralateral side of the body is affected by specific anatomic target sites.

FIG. 9A shows an electron-ion current conversion cell (EICCC) electrode 900 configured to interface with a deep brain block (DBB) target in the thalamus. The nerve tissue interface 904 contacts and provides block to the target site in the thalamus while an electrode lead 902 provides a conduit between the thalamus and the exterior of the skull. An extension port in the skull anchor 910 allows for communication between the current source 908 and the electrode lead 902 via an electrode extension 906 which can connect electrically with the port and current source 908. Within the lead 902 itself the EICCC blocking electrode comprises an internal electrode 916 such as an Ag/AgCl wire which converts electron current to ionic current in an ion conductive medium 918 such as saline and generates ionic current at the nerve tissue interface 904 via an ionically conductive material such as a porous frit 920 designed to allow ions to flow through it to generate a block at the nerve tissue site. The ionically conductive medium 918 and/or tissue interface material may also comprise a hydrogel or other ionically conductive material as described elsewhere herein.

Specific to epilepsy, electrocorticography (ECoG) may be performed to identify the epileptic focus or foci for targeting of electrode placement and nerve block in that location. The implanted blocking electrode may be used to block or suppress nerve tissue activity on demand by the user during an epileptic fit or when sensing the onset of an epileptic fit. Moreover, the system including the blocking electrode may be configured to alternatively lower the field potential of a cluster of neurons prone to causing epileptic fits such that epileptic fits may be prevented instead of being reacted to when they are about to occur or when they are occurring. In another embodiment, the blocking electrode is combined with a measurement or sensing electrode such that the activity of the neuron cluster or clusters comprising the epileptic focus or foci are monitoring and when activity indicative of onset of an epileptic episode is measured, the system can automatically generates a block to reduce activity of the target cells in a closed-loop fashion. In FIG. 9B an embodiment of a blocking/suppressing electrode 950 with an integrated sensing electrode 922 is shown in which a sensing electrode 922 is in proximity to the nerve tissue interface 904 such that sensing of the target neuron activity can occur and the signal from the sensing electrode 922 feeds back to the current source 908 which can be activated based on the sensing electrode signal to generate an ionic current at the nerve tissue 904 interface to disrupt or prevent onset of an epileptic fit. The sensing electrode 922 can include an insulated conductive path to electrode extension 924. In other embodiments, the blocking electrode may also serve as the sensing electrode 922 (e.g. when blocking current is not being applied). An electrode for blocking tissue to treat epilepsy may be configured as straight probe which is implanted deeper than the cortical surface, or may be configured as a epi-cortical electrode (e.g., by having a planar or conformal element).

The systems and methods described in the figures above may be used to generate DC nerve block. Depending on the specific direct current application of nerve block, nerve suppression, or continued block after removal or stopping of the current may occur, and hypersuppression may result for continued nerve blockade in excess of one minute after removal of the DC source to delay nerve conduction recovery. The nerve block and suppression may be generated in an intermittent or continuous manner depending on the desired application. Means for continuous nerve block have been described that provide for safe delivery of nerve block via ionic current utilizing multiple electrodes or sequenced electrode contact activation enabling a means to modulate nerve conduction safely without necessitating complex mechanical systems. The system may be fully or partially implantable, or completely non-implantable (e.g., transcutaneous) with all tissue contacting materials biocompatible for tissue contact and implantation compatibility.

Various other modifications, adaptations, and alternative designs are of course possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood at this time that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed above may be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, they can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication. For example, actions such as “applying direct current to a nerve” includes “instructing the applying of direct current to a nerve.” The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers (e.g., about 10%=10%), and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for nerve block of a patient utilizing a renewable electrode, comprising: a direct current generator; at least one electrode comprising silver chloride; a controller configured to signal the direct current generator to: deliver a first direct current with a first polarity through the electrode sufficient to block conduction in a nerve, decrease an amount of the silver chloride in the electrode thereby forming solid silver and chloride ions; deliver a second direct current with a second polarity through the electrode sufficient to increase the amount of the silver chloride, thereby renewing the electrode; and a nerve interface spaced apart from the electrode by a selective barrier, the selective barrier configured to allow chloride ions through the barrier toward the nerve interface to block the nerve. 